DETROIT — With so much on the line in Sunday’s game at Ford Field, the Vikings got creative ahead of their matchup with the Lions. In an effort to bring some of Minnesota with them to Detroit, the Vikings spent nearly $2 million on the secondary market, according to a report from Sports Illustrated, scooping up nearly 1,900 tickets in total, then offering them to season-ticket holders at a discounted rate. The willingness to spend gave the Vikings a noticeable contingent of purple and gold in the stands behind the visitors’ bench. That was the goal from ownership when putting the plan into action. In a statement, executive vice president and chief communications officer Jeff Anderson provided some insight on the back story, saying, “Given the uniqueness of this game we wanted to offer our stakeholders — staff, family, season ticket members, and team partners — an opportunity to attend.” After the Lions learned what was happening, they pushed back by contacting the league office. No action was taken, because the Vikings technically did not break any rules throughout the process. The fact that the Vikings went to such lengths to provide even a small advantage wasn’t surprising considering they were in position to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over the Lions. “We know exactly what we’re signing up for,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said earlier this week. “We know they’re a damn good team, and we’re going to have to play really well to go win.” O’Connell has suitors Though there’s virtually no chance the Vikings would ever let it to happen, according to Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer, multiple teams will at least consider trying to acquire O’Connell via a blockbuster trade this offseason. The report from Glazer came during an appearance on “Fox NFL Sunday” and was immediately followed by him walking it back. His phrasing even seemed to acknowledge how unlikely it is that the Vikings would part ways with O’Connell under any circumstance. Not only is O’Connell currently the betting favorite to win NFL Coach of the Year next month, he has also established a culture in Minnesota that has helped the Vikings make the playoffs twice in his tenure. A contract extension with O’Connell will presumably get done in short order this offseason. There’s absolutely no way the Vikings are letting him get away after everything he has accomplished so far. NFC playoff picture As the Vikings and the Lions prepared for kickoff in primetime, the rest of the NFC playoff picture slowly came into focus. The matchups next weekend will include the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles hosting the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers; the No. 3 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders; and the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Rams hosting either the Vikings or the Lions. Obviously, the winner of Sunday’s game between the Vikings and the Lions will be the No. 1 seed while the loser will drop to the No. 5 seed. Briefly The inactives for the Vikings included edge rusher Pat Jones II, cornerback Fabian Moreau, defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez, center Dan Feeney, right tackle Walter Rouse, linebacker Calvin Munson, and quarterback Brett Rypien. Related Articles Minnesota Vikings | Vikings fall flat on their faces in 31-9 loss to Lions in primetime Minnesota Vikings | Lions clinched NFC North at U.S. Bank Stadium last season. Vikings hope to return favor at Ford Field on Sunday Minnesota Vikings | For the Vikings, going 1-0 each week isn’t a cliché, it’s a lifestyle Minnesota Vikings | Vikings at Lions: NFC North, playoff bye on line Sunday night Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Special Report: Vikings’ biggest regular-season games